Athletic equipment carrier rack



Sept. 15, 1959 M. w. POTTS ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT CARRIER RACK 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18, 1956 INVENIUR Mwporrs M W, POTTS ATHLETICEQUIPMENT CARRIERRACK Sept. 15, 1959 I v Filed Jan. 18, 1 956 2Sheets-Sheet 2 caazaaw I/VVENTOR M. W P0775 ar I . ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent 2,904,383 I ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT CARRIER RACK Melvin w.Potts, Rolf, okra. Application January is, 1956, Serial No. 559,850

7 Claims. (Cl. 312-293) basketball and other games in which variousequipment 'is used andspecial articles are worn, problems and worriesare caused by the care and handling of the equipment, includingjbats,balls, articles of clothing, valuables, first aid equipment, liquids forapplication internally and externally, a blackboard on which toillustrate plays of the game, and other things. Frequently, theequipment, articles of clothing andpthe like are dumped in a pile wherethey arev easily lost, hard to find, or are not readily available one.moments notice, and require that they be picked up when moved.

.It is an object ,of. the invention to reduce the problems and worriesof a coach of an athletic team by providing an athletic. equipmentcarrier rack of simple, compact and inexpensive construction, on whichequipment and clothing can be conveniently carried in a manner to bereadily accessible, as well as a rack for handling a large variety ,ofequipment including baseballs, basketballs, footballs, bats, mitts,gloves, catchers mask, chest protectors, shi-n-guards, articles ofapparel and protective equipment, first aid kits, valuables, liquids forinternal and external application, and the like, and with such rackmounted so that it can be easily rolled from place to place, taken intoa-public or private vehicle for transportation from one place toanother.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carrier of the characterdescribed, which is relatively light in weight, can be handled by oneperson, and by means of which it .is possible to determine quickly thepresence or absence of necessary equipment and a reminder can be carriedof a particular-act or thing.

Other objects and advantages of, the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a;perspective'illustratingone application of the invention; Ia

, Fig. 2, a similar view from the opposite side;

Fig. 3, a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, a perspective of a container for water or other liquids.

Briefly stated, the present invention comprises a relatively long,narrow frame of wire or rod stock, and of a height slightly less thanits length, with casters attached beyond each end of the frame to enablethe device to be easily moved from place to place. The frame comprisesfour corner posts, two sets of intermediate transve'rsely aligned postswhichfeX-tend substantially to the topoifithe device, upper and lowerlongitudinal rods at 'each 'side of thefrarne define drawer space inwhich is disposed a metal sleeve or casing, in which are located2,904,383 Patented Sept. l5, 19 59 drawers. The top of the casing inwhich the drawersare contained forms a floor on opposite sides of thecenter portion of the rack, such center portion defining the lower spacefor removable water or other liquid dispens ing container, above whichspace is mounted a s'olidwall structure with a removable door and abovewhich are a couple of drawers which can be locked shut. Along the upperportion of the rack, spaced inwardly from the "sides thereof, are a pairof longitudinally disposed rods to which are attached a series oftransversely disposed substantially U-shaped members arranged in spacedrelation to hold small objects such as baseballs, and with the outerends of such rack extending outwardly so that basketballs may besupported thereon, and with the extremities of said U-shaped membersspaced to support bats therebetween and wearing apparel and otherarticles on the extremities thereof. Around the lower portion at eachend is provided a grill to retain articles therein including bats,clothing or other articles suspended from above.

With continued reference to the drawings, the present inventioncomprises a relatively long narrow frame of wire or rod stock and of aheight slightly less than its length. The frame is composed of cornerposts '10 and 11 at one end and 12 and 13 at the opposite end of theframe. The corner posts 10 and 11 at one end of 'the frame are joined attheir lower extremities by a cross rod or bar 14, and the corner posts12 and 13 are connected at their lower ends by a cross rod or bar 15.

A caster mounting plate 16 is attached beneath the bar 14 and isprovided with casters 17 which are located beyond the ends of themachine in order not to "interfere with drawers along the lower portionof the machine. Adjacent the bar 15 to each of the corner posts 12 and13 is attached a triangular brace 18 which supports a rod 19 on whichsmall wheels or casters 20 are retained in any desired manner, as forexample, by means of cotter pins 21.

The posts 10 and 11 at one end of the frame are connected at their upperends by transverse rods 22 and a parallel lower bracing rod 23. In likemanner the posts 12 and 13 are connected at their upper ends by atransverse rod 24 and a lower bracing rod 25.

Between the lower extremities of the corner posts 14) and 11 at one endof the frame and the corner posts 12 and 13 at the other end of theframe are mounted upper and lower longitudinal rods or bars 26 and 27 atone side of the frame and similar bars 28 and 29 at the opposite side ofthe frame.

The end posts are thus held in fixed relation at their lower ends and inorder to similarly hold them at their upper ends a pair oflongitudinally disposed rods 30 and 31 are provided having dependinglateral extensions welded or otherwise secured to the bars 22 and 24.Arched connecting members 32and 33 brace their parallel longitudinalmembers adjacent their ends and likewise serve to limit the movement ofobjects placed between said rods 30' and 31. A pair of spaced rods 34and 35 are disposed longitudinally between and connectedto thetransverse rods 22 and 24 and serve as supports for articles placedthereupon.

Pairs of center posts 36, 37 and 38, 39 have their upper ends connectedto the longitudinal rods 34 and 35 and their lower ends connected totransverse rods, 40 and 41, the ends of which are welded ,or otherwisesecured to the longitudinal rods 26 and 28. Additional posts 42 and 43are connected to the outer ends of said rod 40 and have right angularupper ends welded to the posts 36 and 37. The posts 42 and 43 are spacedapart the same distance as the corner posts 10 and 111. In like manner,posts 44 and 45 are attached at the outer 3 ends of the rod 41 and havetheir upper ends attached to the posts 38 and 39.

Grills 46 and 47 are disposed between the posts and 42 and 11 and 43,respectively, and additional grills 48 and 49 are disposed at oppositesides of the rack between the posts 12 and 44 and posts 13 and 45. Theseopposite grills at opposite ends of the rack laterally retain objectsbetween the same in order to prevent movement from the end of the rack.Pivoted grills 50 and 51 are mounted in hinge eyes 52 and adapted to beretained in closed position by means of suitable latches 53.

Above the area defined by the grills 46, 47, 48 and 49 are disposedsuitable supports for objects of various kinds, such supports includingsubstantially U-shaped members 54 having outwardly disposed extremities55, such U-shaped members being located in spaced relation in a mannerto provide a trough for smaller objects such as baseballs and with theoutwardly turned portions 55 serving as supports for larger objects suchas basketballs, the prongs 55 serving also for the suspension ofbaseball bats therebetween and articles of clothing thereon.Longitudinal supports 23 and are disposed beneath the centers of theU-shaped members 54 and have end portions attached to the rods 22 and 23at one end of the rack, and rods 24 and 25 at the other. Braces 36' and38 may be used to connect the posts 36, 37 and 38, 39.

Between the longitudinal members 26, 27, 28 and 29 is disposed a sleeveor casing 56, the upper portion of which serves as a floor for the rackand the lower portion of which is a shelf for drawers 57, 58 and 59. Thedrawers 57 and 58 opening on one side of the rack and the drawer 59opening on the opposite side. The sleeve 56 may be of a single piece ofmaterial with a single transverse seam, or multiple pieces, and suchsleeve is secured in position in any desired manner as, for example, bywelding. At the rear of the drawers 57, 58 and 59 are closure plates 60,61 and 62, respectively.

Above the center drawer the frame structure defines a space in which isadapted to be received a container 63 having a removable closure 64 forthe introduction and removal of liquid or the like, such containerhaving fiont and rear handles 65 and a dispensing faucet or outlet 66.

Above the removable container space is mounted a cabinet 67 having adoor or closure 68 at its front and a couple of drawers 69 and 70 in itstop with securing means in the form of hasps and staples 71 and 72 bymeans of which one or more of said drawers and the front of said cabinetmay be secured in position. If desired, a drinking cup dispenser 73 maybe removably attached to a bracket 74 on the front of the door 68 of theupper cabinet. The longitudinal rods 34 and may be Welded or otherwisesecured to the upper wall of the cabinet 67 if desired for strength.

Above the drawer 59 is mounted a grill 75 between the grills 46 and 48,and on the rear side of the cabinet 67 is mounted an inturned flange 76extending along the bottom and the sides of the cabinet and serving toretain a blackboard 77 for chalk talks or other data.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a portable rack is providedon which may be held equipment used in team and other sports wherenumerous pieces of equipment, protective devices and apparel areemployed, and whether the activity is indoors or outdoors, and such rackcan be moved around easily, and due to its shape and size can be easilytransported via public carrier or private vehicle with minimum effortand consumption of time, thus simplifying the care and handling ofequipment and the loss of the same.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which isillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification, but onlyas indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rodstock, including upright and transverse members defining a central areaand an area on opposite sides of the same at each end of the frame,retaining grillwork around the lower portion of the areas on oppositesides of said central area, spaced horizontal supports extending inopposite directions from each side of the upper portion of said centralarea, substantially spaced U-shaped members mounted in spaced relationalong and between said supports providing a trough for holdingrelatively small objects, the extremities of said substantially U-shapedmembers being disposed outwardly of the sides of said trough forsupporting objects of greater size than the width of said trough, theoutwardly disposed portions also serving as hangers for the suspensionof objects both therebetween and thereon, a floor adjacent the bottom ofsaid frame, a series of article containing drawers beneath said floor,rollers supporting said frame outwardly beyond the ends of said drawers.

2. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rodstock, including upright and transverse members defining a central areaand an area on opposite sides of the same at each end of the frame,retaining grillwork around the lower portion of the areas on oppositesides of said central area, spaced horizontal supports extending inopposite directions from each side of the upper portion of said centralarea, substantially spaced U-shaped members mounted in spacedrelation'along and between said supports providing a trough for holdingrelatively small objects, the extremities of said substantially U-shapedmembers being disposed outwardly of the sides of said trough forsupporting objects of greater size than the width of said trough, theoutwardly disposed portions also serving as hangers for the suspensionof objects both therebetween and thereon.

3. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rodstock, including upright and transverse members defining a central areaand an area on opposite sides of the same at each end of the frame,retaining grillwork around the lower portion of the areas on oppositesides of said central area, spaced horizontal supports extending inopposite directions from each side of the upper portion of said centralarea, substantially spaced U-shaped members mounted in spacedrelationalong and between said supports providing a trough for holdingrelatively small objects, the extremities of said substantially U-shapedmembers being disposed outwardly of the sides of said trough forsupporting objects of greater size than the width of said trough, theoutwardly disposed portions also serving as hangers for the suspensionof objects both therebetween and thereon, a floor adjacent the bottom ofsaid frame, a series of article containing drawers beneath said floor,rollers supporting said frame outwardly beyond the ends of said drawers,a removable container for the lower portion of the central area of saidrack, and one or more containers for the upper portion of the centralarea of said rack.

4. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rodstock, including upright and transverse members defining a central areaand an area on opposite sides of the same at each end of the frame,retaining grillwork around the lower portion of the areas on oppositesides of said central area, spaced horizontal supports extending inopposite directions from each side of the upper portion of said centralarea, substantially spaced U-shaped members mounted in spaced relationalong and between said supports providing a trough for holdingrelatively small objects, the extremities of said substantially U-shapedmembers being disposed outwardly of the sides of said trough forsupporting objects of greater size than the width of said trough, theoutwardly disposed portions also serving as hangers t9; the suspensionof objects both therebetween and thereon, a floor adjacent the bottom ofsaid frame, a series of article containing drawers beneath said floor,rollers supporting said frame outwardly beyond the ends of said drawers,a retaining rail along each side of the top of said rack.

5. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame, a floor adjacentthe bottom of said frame, a series of article containing drawers beneathsaid floor, grill means at each side of said frame and holding meansalong the upper portion of said rack including spaced members providinga trough for small objects and with the outer ends of said members beingdisposed outwardly at the sides of said trough for the holding ofobjects larger than the width of said trough and also serving as hangersfor the suspension of objects including clothing at each side of saidtrough.

6. A portable rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of rodstock including two pairs of closely spaced end posts and a pair ofupper and lower longitudinal members connecting said end posts at eachside of the rack, transverse members connecting said longitudinalmembers at their ends and at their intermediate portions, a post at theconnection between the outer ends of the intermediate transverse membersand said longitudinal members, said post having the upper end turnedinwardly, inwardly disposed posts on said intermediate transversemembers and joining said inwardly turned ends, a grill at each sideadjacent each end of said rack, wall structure providing a floor at eachend of said rack besides each grill, and drawers slideably mountedbeneath said floor.

7. A rack for athletic equipment comprising a frame of wire or rod stockincluding a plurality of U-shaped wire trough forming members providingan open trough along the upper portion of the frame, said U-shapedmembers having outwardly and upwardly disposed ends providing batengaging and suspending members, said trough and said outwardlyextending bat suspending members being of a size to retain smallerobjects thereon, the outer ends of the members disposed upwardly andoutwardly providing an extended support for larger objects thereon,means to support the frame in a generally horizontal position with thetrough opening upwardly, with the engaging and suspending memberslocated at a proper height to suspend elongated articles therefrom andwhereby athletic equipment may be supported in said trough andadditional athletic equipment may suspend from said engaging andsuspending members, and confining means below said frame and supportedby said supporting means in a manner to receive other articles and thelower ends of equipment suspended from said frame.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.163,286 .Tenson May 15, 1951 D. 179,459 Potts Dec. 25, 1956 2,413,164Boldt et al. Dec. 24, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 671,005 France Aug. 26, 192.9

